US spending deal includes $1B for Trump wall: report

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Negotiators for the House of Representatives and the Senate have agreed to allocate some $1.375 billion for President Donald Trump's border wall along the U.S.'s southern border, according to a report published Monday.

The agreement has yet to be made public, but the Hill website reported that when it is revealed it will effectively match the level of funding given in the 2019 fiscal year, far less than the $5 billion the president has sought.

The Republican-held Senate had agreed to give Trump the sum, but the Democratic-controlled House did not allocate any funds at all in its appropriations bill.

The bills stipulate that any funds used under the appropriation must be used for projects within the the Rio Grande Valley sector, a Democratic aide told the Hill.

The bills are expected to be introduced later Monday.

Lawmakers have until the end of the week to fund the government to avoid a shutdown that would take effect Dec. 21. Congress is expected to depart Washington for the Christmas and New Years holiday at week's end.